UFC angles for Pettis-Grant, books Faber-McDonald at UFC on FOX 9

When the UFC returns to Sacramento for UFC on FOX 9, Anthony Pettis could defend his belt against T.J. Grant, while two fighters will end up getting a little “California Love” in a key bantamweight contest.

“UFC Tonight’s” Ariel Helwani revealed Wednesday night that UFC officials were hoping to book UFC lightweight champion Pettis against top contender Grant and Sacramento resident Urijah Faber with slugger Michael McDonald of nearby Modesto, Calif., at the Dec. 14 event, which takes place at Sleep Train Arena (formerly ARCO Arena). The night’s main card airs on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1.

UFC officials subsequently confirmed the Faber vs. McDonald bout will serve as the night’s co-main event, though the potential Pettis vs. Grant fight has yet to be officially announced.

Pettis (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who closed out the WEC as that promotion’s final champ, picked up the UFC belt with a stunning first-round stoppage of Benson Henderson at August’s UFC 164 event. Prior to the win, Pettis had been slated for a 145-pound title shot against current champ Jose Aldo, and there was some talk “Showtime” may still drop to featherweight for that fight. However, for now it seems he’ll stay at 155 pounds to face Grant.

Canadian Grant (21-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was expected to challenge Henderson at UFC 164, but a concussion suffered in training forced him to withdraw from the event, and Pettis capitalized on the opportunity. Still, Grant’s impressive five-fight win streak was enough to keep his position as No. 1 contender, and he’ll still get a shot at the belt.

The bantamweight matchup will have big implications at 135 pounds, as Faber currently sits at No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA bantamweight rankings, and McDonald checks in right behind him at No. 4.

Both fighters were recently in action at the UFC’s first-ever event on FOX Sports 1, where Faber picked up a gritty decision win over tough-as-nails Brazilian Iuri Alcantara and McDonald looked unbeatable in a stunning second-round stoppage of the always game Brad Pickett.

“I’m down,” Faber said. “I’m going to fight all these guys. Anybody that’s at the top tier is going to be fighting me at some point. That’s a fight that’s going to happen.

“I actually watched McDonald’s first fight when he was 16 years old, and I’ve always kind of had my eye on him. It’s been impressive to watch him, and I’m willing to go up there and beat him up.”

It turns out sooner was the correct choice.

The UFC hasn’t hosted a show in Sacramento since 2007, when UFC 73 took place in the city and featured a championship headliner between then-middleweight champ Anderson Silva and challenger Nate Marquardt, who suffered a first-round TKO loss. Additionally, recently retired Sean Sherk defended his lightweight belt with a decision victory over Hermes Franca in the co-headliner, though both competitors ultimately failed their drug tests. Sherk was subsequently stripped of the title.